Yarn companies offering free patterns

Businesses everywhere are marketing their products and reaching out to customers with electronic newsletters. Some are beautiful, some are basic. Some are "much ado about nothing." Others are packed full of information that is useful and that others might charge for. In which case, one actually considers purchasing the product being pitched.

While looking for yarn online, I came across Lion Brand yarn and signed up for their mailed catalog (beautiful, so well produced from a design and printing standpoint) and for their emailed newsletter. The newsletter is not long; it seems to come about once a week. What I appreciate about it is the free pattern that is highlighted in each issue.

A few months ago, the free pattern was for a crocheted Market Bag (Pattern #: 70221A). With patterns I like, I simply select with my cursor, then copy (CTRL C) and (after opening a new doc in MS Word) paste (CTRL V) the photo and directions into an MS Word document, then save (CTRL S) in a folder on my computer or print out (CTRL P) and put in a 3-ring binder (where I then have a pattern book filled with patterns I like and can actually use).

Lion also sells all the yarn needed for the bag, but as the organic yarn recommended came to ... gulp ... $45, I used another solution.


A few years ago, I bought a basket full of various Sugar 'n Creme cotton yarns at a secondhand sale. I've used them to crochet dishcloths and washcloths. I pulled the basket out and started working Lion's easy-to-follow directions. By the end of the weekend and several DVD-episodes of a favorite BBC series, I had a large market bag (I wanted to use my ergonomic crochet hook and choose a slightly larger size hook than in the directions.)


My results (the first photo here) looked VERY colorful. I wished I'd had more pink/blue to use intead of the weird green/turquoise mix on the handle. Like many a frustrated artist, I was sure that if I put MORE "stuff" on the bag, it would be improved. So I worked up a few crocheted flowers and sewed them onto the front. It is a very busy bag.



Then, I decided the bag was too busy looking to use as a gift (my intention in the first place in starting out), so I trotted to my local store (hey, they deserve my business too) and bought Sugar 'n Creme on a large spool for $11, and it did the trick and was almost the same color as the one in the directions; natural with a few speckles of color strewn about. Bag #2, weekend #2, DVD disk-set #2, worked out much better (see second photo). I skipped the flowers this time, but put a puff-stitch pattern around the bag (3 rows of puff stitch, with a row of the regular bag pattern in between the puff-stitch rows). Voila! a great gift for anyone who wants to reduce use of plastic grocery bags, and, as it turned out with this recipient, likes to frequent farmers markets (we have one of the best ones around here in Athens County, Ohio. Did you know Athens was once voted by Mother Earth News as "one of the 12 best places you've never heard of"?)


Here are some other businesses that offer newsletters and/or free patterns. I haven't read them all, so try them out and see if they are worthwhile. You can always cancel. If you're worried about your email being out there, sign up for a free Gmail address just for this purpose. You can check it, whenever, and see what interesting things you can make using available products or new products. Remember that whether talking about baking, crocheting, or painting--quality of products DOES matter. Try something out with less expensive alternatives, and if you like the results, spring for better quality materials in the next version.

YARN SITES WITH FREE PATTERNS:
lionbrand.com
bernat.com
coatsandclark.com
patonsyarns.com
caron.com
plymouthyarn.com
universalyarn.com
kollageyarns.com


And also, visit the Craft Yarn Council of America.

Heart to Art Galleria - Marietta, Ohio

Yesterday, Mark and I took a beautiful drive via Rt 550 from Athens over to Marietta, Ohio for the Grand Opening of the Heart to Art Galleria at 208 Front Street. I learned of the Heart to Art Galleria shop, from WASCO, Inc. “WASCO is a public nonprofit agency created by parents in the 1950s to create vocational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.”

The Galleria interested me because I was looking for an outlet for my son, Bryce's, arts and crafts. Bryce works at a sheltered workshop in Ohio, but didn't have a way to sell the jewelry and drawings he's created. Passionworks, the wonderful art program for Athens County residents, is unable to take non-Athens County residents' work into their store at this time, and they suggested I contact WASCO. Long story short, Bryce has made several drawings, bracelets, earrings and bookmarks to sell in the Heart to Art Galleria and this, as you can imagine, makes his mom pretty happy.





Marietta, as you might know, is a wonderful town on the Ohio River. Described on its visitor website as follows:

“…a picturesque river town with European ambience. Located on the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, Marietta was the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, established in 1788. Its brick streets are lined with lush hardwood trees and opulent Victorian homes. With lots of history, two waterways, and a bustling downtown, it was ranked 79 among Best Smaller Places by Forbes magazine in 2000. The vibrant historic district offers many distinctive stores, antique shops, boutiques, and galleries, as well as several independent restaurants and cozy cafes.”

Nancy Harris, Business Development Manager at WASCO, took the time to answer my questions so folks could learn more about the shop.

JPW: Nancy, I see the

dichrioc jewelry sold online on WASCO’s site; it’s beautiful! How long have WASCO artists been creating and selling this jewelry?
NH: We received a grant from the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council in 2005.

JPW: How was the decision made to go from selling jewelry online to having a brick-and-mortar store in downtown Marietta with a variety of products?
NH: WASCO’s mission is to assist adults with developmental disabilities to be a viable part of their community. “There are a variety of ways in which we do this,” states Jan Powell, Director of WASCO. “Exploring employment opportunities is our main mission, but at the same time we want Marietta to see our commitment to be involved in our community”.

JPW: What sort of products are going to be sold in the store and what are the price ranges?
NH: Shoppers will see a unique display of creative art products such as greeting cards, planters, porch and picnic furniture, jewelry, pottery, and sewn products such as quilts and pillows. Heart to Art Galleria also displays many art prints. WASCO’s store is all about uniting people with different abilities, giving them the opportunity to showcase their work.


JPW: Tell us a bit about the individuals who create these products.
NH: All of the products are created by adults with disabilities. The majority of them receive services through County Board Programs located throughout the State of Ohio.

JPW: Are the artists from Washington County (OH) alone, or from other Ohio counties as well?
NH: All of the artists reside in the State of Ohio.

JPW: What are the open hours at Heart to Art Galleria?
NH: Monday – Saturday 9AM – 5PM

After our visit there yesterday, we learned that in addition to the beautiful jewelry sold at Heart to Art Galleria, there is a wide variety of offerings, including: wooden gliders and other lawn furniture; ceiling and backsplash tiles; paintings on canvas; Athens' Passionwork's products and Fairfield County's Blue Shoe Arts' products; Buckeye keychains; decorative stones for the garden (we bought one that said "All Dog's Go to Heaven"--it was under $10!); potpourri; stuffed toys; even fair trade coffee! Many Ohio County Board's of Developmental Disabilities are represented in the store with creations by their clients--and I think folks new to the genre of "outsider art" will be astounded at how beautiful these creations are.

There are a lot of things to do and see in Marietta, and if you’re anything like me, a day away is sometimes more restorative than a longer vacation. Marietta is 120 miles from Columbus, 75 miles from Charleston, WV, 170 miles from Cleveland, and 160 miles from Pittsburgh. From Athens, where Mark and I live, it is not far at all, about a 50-minute drive. Be sure to visit the Heart to Art Galleria and purchase one of their artists’ creations for yourself, your home, or as a gift. You’ll be adding beauty to your life and supporting the creative efforts of some very special people.

Note: After visiting the Galleria, we ate lunch at Austyn's Restaurant, (click on link to see their menu) also on Front Street and near to the public parking lot along the waterfront, where the photo above was taken. It was delicious! I had the strawberry walnut salad and Mark had the club sandwich. For desert, creme brulee and coffee. A perfect addition to our morning get-away. Their dinner menu looked very good too; the restaurant and food it offered reminded me of some of the places we ate when we were in NYC earlier this year (namely Benjamin Steakhouse), and also, Sarava, one of my favorite restaurants (Shaker Square, Cleveland). In other words, a real gem of an eatery, right here in SE Ohio.

















Update: 6/18/09. My mother is visiting from FL and we drove over to Marietta today, stopping in at the Heart to Art Galleria. Nancy Harris called me beforehand and told me that tomorrow night, 6/19/09, is the Mayor's Jubilee in downtown Marietta--music, art, shopping, food--sounds wonderful.

It was great to learn that some of my son Bryce's artwork had been purchased and to see what it was that captured visitors' attention (his portrait of Aunt Joan and his drawing of an angel). I also had the opportunity today to meet four of the WASCO jewelry artists who, under the direction of Kim and Chuck, were creating absolutely beautiful glass pendants for necklaces (such as are sold on their website and in the store). I saw how carefully the artists choose the colors and shapes that go on the pendants and they explained to me the process for completing the jewelry (firing in the kiln and then the findings attached so that the pendants can be hung on a necklace).

I noticed that many things that I'd seen on my first visit there for the grand opening were now sold. Great! There are still a lot of great products there and more are on the way. Passionworks and Blue Shoe Arts from Athens and Fairfield Counties, respectively, are well represented. Stuffed toys from Allen County are also there.

Mother and I ate at Austyn's and went into a wonderful gift shop, an antique shop, and a secondhand clothing store. It was a wonderful way to spend a day off of work.

Paint-by-Numbers, A Relaxing Creative Outlet

Art and craft enthusiasts have long known the calming, meditative, right-brain blissfulness that comes with delving into a project; concentrating on the colors and shapes; finding all the pieces coming together to create something beautiful.

Yet often painting is a daunting thing to take up. The materials can be confusing; all the different types of paints and brushes called "flats" and "brights." The smell of oils, not to mention the expense. And the fact that most of us do not believe we really can draw, and who wants to face failure when you just want to relax and have some fun? This is why paint-by-numbers were created, and I -- for one -- do not think anyone should feel hesitant to embrace this hobby. It's a real hobby and a real craft; no different than following the directions on a crocheted afghan (such as I'm doing now) or knitting a beautiful cable sweater or cutting out various images to make a collage.

The beautiful paintings shown here were done by my sister, Joyce Phelps, of Bradenton, FL. I'm not surprised that her efforts look so great, because she has always been a person who paid attention to the details. Her home shows a good sense of color and composition. She is patient and stays with anything she starts until she's "got it." I, gal of many unfinished projects, admire that quality.

Joyce says that paint-by-numbers is relaxing; indeed many would say it is therapeutic in the way that so many hobbbies are.



The paintings Joyce has done here are shown in reverse chronological order. The painting of the cats was her first, the one of the birds and flowers second and the beach scene the most recent.

Some paint-by-numbers designs require more compex color mixing than others, and you can really see the excellent care Joyce has taken in mixing the paints to get the soft background in the bird picture, as well as the very lifelike water in the beach scene.

If you have always wanted to paint but felt intimidated by a blank canvas, consider one of the many paint-by-numbers kits available today. I've listed places where you can buy the kits and articles online about the hobby, below.

BOOKS/KITS ON PAINT-BY-NUMBERS ON AMAZON:

Complete Paint-by-Numbers Set from Readers Digest

Paint By Number Kit: Everything You Need to Re-Create 8 Vintage Masterpieces

Games Magazine Presents Paint by Numbers (The Unique Geometric Logic Puzzles for Ages 14 to Adult)

Paint by Number: The How-To Craze that Swept the Nation

Painting the Great Masters by Number: Create Your Own Masterpiece with this Easy Paint-by-Number Program

3-D Paint by Numbers: Under the Sea


STORES THAT SELL PAINT-BY-NUMBERS KITS:
Michael’s

Gifts.com

Pencil by Numbers kits

HobbyMasters

Paint by Numbers Kits

ARTICLES ONLINE ABOUT PAINT-BY-NUMBERS:

“Paint by numbers: A ‘50s fad achieves status in the new millennium”

“Vintage Paint-by-Numbers Making a Comeback”

"CLASSIC PAINT-BY-NUMBERS FROM THE '40s, '50s, & '60s"

Various articles on the subject.

"The use of paint-by-number art in therapy"

“By the Numbers: An Interview with William L. Bird, Jr."

WEBSITES DEDICATED TO PAINT-BY-NUMBERS:

National Museum of American History

le salon de Paint-by-Numbers: Dedicated to the Art of Creative Relaxation

MISC:
Extreme Home Makeover Paint by Numbers Room

Paint by Numbers T-shirt!

Paint by Numbers Toilet Paper

EXHIBITS:
October 2009: Paint-by-Numbers Exhibit/Benefit in St. Louis, MO.

SOFTWARE:
Paint by Numbers 2005 CD-ROM (note: it does not list VISTA as a platform)

Note: The paintings on this page are protected by copyright. All rights reserved by the copyright holder.

Daisy Mae

There are many wonderful things about leading a creative workshop, or taking part in one, for that matter. I like creative workshops because they nourish the individual soul and the collective soul as well. We leave feeling inspired and make connections with other creative-types, and their work and approach and technique and ideas spur us on to new things that fit our lives.
When Mark and I moved to Athens, I soon found Art of Ohio online. I contacted Paulette Halliday who I found to be a wonderful resource, and angel really, for artists in SE Ohio. Paulette, who works at ACEnet, the umbrella organization behind Art of Ohio, is one of those people I read about in The Tipping Point. You know: gifted with the ability to bring people together, to see the potential for networks and to encourage even the shy and hesitant among us to reach out beyond our comfortable walls.

Paulette opened the door, literally and figuratively, for me to give ATC (artist trading card) workshops in Athens and Art of Ohio provided space. Through these workshops I have met some wonderful women in Athens who are living lives of creativity, mindfulness, and intelligence. I hope that a few of these women will give me permission to profile their creative work in future postings. Today, I'd like to tip my crocheted hat to Florence Clark.

Flo does not live in Athens, but was visiting family here when she signed up for my Fall 2008 Artist Trading Card workshop. We met again for dinner with my husband, Mark, and sister, Joan, and soon discovered a mutual love of dogs. Her dog, Daisy Mae, was captured so delightfully in a small painting she did recently, that I asked her if I could post it on Appalachian Morning, and she said yes and sent me a second painting she'd done as well.

In my book, Open Your Heart with Pets, I shared the stories of many people whose lives have been rejuvenated, enhanced, redeemed, restored--really I can't think of strong enough words to express just what a pet can mean in the life of an open-hearted human, but I think you must know... Flo does. Daisy Mae does. They share a bond that time and separation couldn't alter and now they are together again and enjoying each new day. Here's what Flo wrote about Daisy Mae and the benefit of spending time creating:

"During my separation from my life as I knew it — including living without my Daisy — it was making art that saved my sanity; first it was the little ATC cards, then a step into art journaling, and finally painting with acrylics on ATC-size canvas. It is in this medium that I have been able to express my love of my Daisy Mae and of art.

"I must add that Daisy and I have been reunited because of the kind lady who rescued her from the kennel and kept her until I was able to take her to live with me again.

"Daisy has been my inspiration as far as recovering from my surgery — she keeps me exercising and she always makes me laugh. We do share a unique bond; she is a blessing to me, and every day we say grace before our meals (she's even learning to bow her head!)and thank God that we awoke that day, that we are together and that we have so many, many blessings. I AM truly blessed — with recovering health, with good friends, loving family, my Daisy and a creative outlet; God is so very good."

Hats off to Flo and Daisy Mae — and Flo, keep up the wonderful creative work — you have a gift of peace and mindfulness that this world needs more of.

• Paintings shown in this article copyright 2009 by Florence Clark. All rights reserved.
• For more information on ATCs (artist trading cards) see my previous postings at these links: ATC envelope to hold money gift. Artist Trading Cards. Creativity Shared (lists many ATC groups online).
• For information on workshops held in the Athens, Ohio area, please join the Janice Phelps, LLC "Group" on Facebook, or contact me by email at art@janicephelps.com and I will email you when workshops are planned.
• If your business or organization would like to hold a workshop somewhere within the Central/Southern Ohio, Northern WV area, please visit www.janicephelps.com/workshops for information on workshop topics and qualifications of the leaders.
• For information on Art of Ohio and ACEnet click on these links.
• If you are an artist, living in Ohio, and want to join Art of Ohio and benefit from the wonderful exposure available, click HERE for an application.
• For information on the Ohio Appalachian Artist Directory, click on this link.

Your Craft Hobby Can Benefit Others

A few years ago, I learned about the Knit for Kids: Handmade Sweaters from the Heart organization promoted by Guideposts magazine. I was looking for simple patterns to crochet: my family had all the scarves they needed... So I visited Knit for Kids and found that they have patterns for crocheters too. I bought a skein of bright multi-colored yarn and began working on a sweater for to fit a four-year-old. My sweater looked slightly different than the example in the pattern. A male friend laughed at it! But I kept on, finished it, and mailed it off with good wishes.

Months later, I received a postcard from Knit for Kids and there, right on the front, was a young boy wearing "my" sweater. Well, I think it was mine. It was the same yarn; but of course Red Heart is a common brand. And I am sure many, many other crocheters submitted similar sweaters. But I like to think that child was wearing the one I made.

Today, I'd like to share with you some other organizations that can use your knitting, crocheting or sewing skills. There is something wonderful about creating a handmade gift to benefit another person. Sometimes that person doesn't even have to be someone you know.

Last year I met a women in a hair salon whose husband had died unexpectedly, tragically, and much too young. I asked her if she did any knitting. She said she did knit and was working on a prayer shawl for someone because she had received a prayer shawl when her husband died and it had meant a lot to her.

As you are looking at your stash of yarn and the pile of afghans, sweaters, scarves, socks, and other handmade items throughout your home, think about making a gift for someone else. It will mean a lot to them, and, to you.

The SHIPS Project: Supporting America's Troops Deployed on the War on Terror, One Stitch at a Time. You can see a list of the patterns (hats, slippers, and more, for knitting and crochet) HERE.

Warm Woolies: "In 2009, we're continuing to knit for children living in orphanages in Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia and on Reservations throughout the northern United States. Our goal for 2009 is to knit 10,000 pieces of warm wool clothing for these children!"

Binky Patrol: "We make blankets and give them away to children in need of comfort. It's as simple as that."

Blankets of Gratitude: "Since we can't visit them all in person, our goal is to wrap 25,000 of these Veterans in lap robes, representative of our support and appreciation, called "Blankets of Gratitude." The lap robes will be a physical reminder that they are not alone." (crocheting, knitting, loom weaving)

Blankets of Hope: "The Blankets of Hope team creates unique, handmade blankets to send hope, support and gratitude to America's wounded and veterans. Used on hospital beds, wheelchairs, and transport litters on medevac flights, Blankets of Hope bring the message that each servicemember is loved and not forgotten. They are included in our First Response Backpacks and Vet Packs sent to Combat Support Hospitals in the war zones, major medical facilities in Germany and around the world, and selected military hospitals and veterans centers here at home." (sewing) Note: the website for Blankets of Hope and Blankets of Gratitude explains that crocheted/knitted/woven items are best for veterans and sewn/quilted blankets are best for wounded, hospitalized vets as medical personnel state the sewn blankets do not get caught on the medical equipment as crocheted/knitted/ items can. Hence the reason for two organizations which seem so similar, but are specifically geared to the needs of the recipients.

Hats for the Homeless: "Hats for the Homeless grew out of the heart of one young man who cared about those less fortunate. He died suddenly in 1998. Hats for the Homeless was created in his memory to continue the tradition he started." (crochet, knitting; scarves and mittens too)

Project Linus: Providing Security through Blankets. "Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Each volunteer and local chapter all work together to help us achieve our mission statement, which states:

1. First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
2. Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children."

"Together we have distributed over two million blankets to children in need since our inception in 1995."

Chemo Caps: "Wherever you live, somewhere in your community there are cancerpatients in need of hand knit chemocaps. Get together with other knitters, get school groups, scouts and other young people involved. It's a great community service project for everyone...." (knitting patterns online)

All Free Crafts: "Crafters are generous, warm-hearted people. Here we try to link you with charitable sites and organizations that would appreciate donations of homemade knitting, crochet and craft works for people in need all over the world." This website lists many outlets for crafting for charities.

The Mother Bear Project: "The Mother Bear Project is dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear."

The Snuggles Project: security blankets for shelter animals

Sewing Charities: A huge, huge, alphabetized list of various charities seeking sewn items. (Also includes knitting and crocheted as well).

Crocheted Satchel or Purse for Kindle

Recently, I wrote about the Kindle (see HERE for that blog article). Now, to bring the creative side into things...I wanted to share a photo of the crocheted purse I made a few years ago that sat pretty much unused. It's a bit floppy to put an assortment of things in; I didn't like the way glasses, wallet, cell phone, all poked bumps in the side. But....

It turned out to be PERFECT for carrying around my new Kindle (which is also contained in its leather-like cover purchased with the reader). I can slide my phone, keys, or business card holder (with cash or credit cards) into the little pocket on the front.

This satchel was made using something I already had in my yarn stash: 100% cotton Lily Sugar'n Cream that comes in a ball rather than a skein. I used a natural beige for the body of the satchel and a verigated beige/navy for the trim around the pocket and the strap.

I am not a crochet designer, but I do tend to make things up as I go along. This item was made using double crochet. There are 30 double-crochets across and 18 rows of double-crochet from bottom to top. the strap is 60 inches long. It consists of:

Using navy/beige, make a chain 60 inches long, then make row 1) sc across.

Then using beige make row 2) double crochet across.

Then switch back to navy/beige for row 3) single crochet across.

The pocket is made of a crocheted piece that was 40 dc wide and 10 rows high. But it is placed on the purse so the rows run vertically, not horizontally. I fashioned a hole for the "hook" using the navy/beige and making a trim. I sewed the pocket to the front of the satchel with yarn.

This is an easy project for beginners who want to try making something without using a strict pattern. It is washable too.

I use this same type of cotton to make dishtowels which work better than any I can buy in the store.

Now my Kindle is ready to go with me wherever and has its own special purse.

The dimensions are:width of purse: 9 inchesheight of purse: 10 inches.
length of strap: 60 inches. Dimensions of pocket 4.5 x 5.5 h, excluding trim.

UPDATE: 6/18/09: Appalachian Morning Creativity Blog is now available to download to your Kindle! Click on this link, and you can enjoy 14 days free (including reading all past articles) and after that it is only $1.99 a month to read this blog anytime, anywhere. Automatically updated to your Kindle, as I post new articles.

UPDATE: 6/23/09: For more tips on carrying a Kindle, including practical advice for guys looking for a shirt, vest, or carrying case for their Kindle, check out the Kindle Forum.

© 2009 Janice Phelps Williams. All rights reserved.

Soul of Athens Website Wins Prestigious Award

Congratulations to the Soul of Athens! Their website, www.soulofathens.com placed fourth in the "Award of Excellence for Best Online Publication of the Pictures of the Year International Competition."

How prestigious is this award?
1st place was National Geographic
2nd place was Wall St. Journal
3rd place was LA Times.

As you may have read in earlier posts, we moved to Athens, Ohio, just last year and love it here. Soul of Athens reflects so many of the things we love about this beautiful area. Hills, forests, arts and crafts, education... It is a friendly, beautiful, wonderful place to call home.